Audrey was momentarily taken aback before smiling and asking, “It seems you two have discussed this before. Otherwise, how could your answers match so perfectly?”
“Oh? What did he tell you?”
“He mentioned that if you become teammates, the team’s racing strategies would prevent you from competing directly against each other. Additionally, in your daily lives, he’s used to looking out for you, and becoming teammates would bring that habit onto the track, which would distract him from focusing on the race.” Audrey paused, “I never expected Vann Winston to say something so humane.”
Hunter laughed awkwardly.
“So, what kind of person do you think Vann Winston is?” Audrey clearly awaited his response.
“Winston?” Hunter scratched his ear and lowered his head as if contemplating his answer.
“Hunter, it’s fine. After all, Winston was quite candid about his impression of you.” Audrey rested her chin on her hand, smiling.
“Winston… To me, he has many sides to him. I don’t know how else to describe him.”
“Many sides? To us in the media, he always seems to have only one side.”
Hunter smiled, “On the track, or rather when facing any technical or strategic issues related to Formula One, he is meticulous, almost impersonal. But with friends, like me, he is very patient. Sometimes I feel…”
“What do you feel?” Audrey looked curious.
“I feel…” Hunter blinked as he thought deeply, “It seems like no matter what willful things I do, he never gets angry. Sometimes I even wonder where his limit is.”
Audrey observed Hunter thoughtfully, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes.
Hunter noticed it the moment their eyes met.
Seems like I talked too much?
“You two traveled together after the Suzuka Circuit. On the flight from Sapporo to Tokyo, I didn’t even get a chance to ask how your vacation was.”
“It was great! Winston planned everything, from transportation to the hotel! Traveling with him is so easy, I don’t even have to use my brain!”
“Don’t you find it boring? He’s so serious and quiet.”
“Not at all. Do you know, on the way to Noboribetsu, he even took me to visit the Shiroi Koibito factory!”
Audrey was momentarily surprised, then tilted her head and chuckled, “A chocolate factory, right… Don’t you feel like it’s a place a dad would take his child, or a couple would go together?”
Hunter paused for two seconds, then burst out laughing, “Exactly! I thought the same thing at the time! Hahaha!”
But at that moment, an image of Winston leaning over, tilting his head to press against him to lick the soft, sweet ice cream, and then their tongues touching, flashed through Hunter’s mind, causing his heart to race uncontrollably.
“Alright, I’ve asked enough questions. It’s time to reveal Winston’s answer.” Audrey opened her notebook.
Hunter nervously pressed his hand against his chest, “Ah… I suddenly feel so anxious!”
“Hahaha, if you’re anxious, who would dare talk to Vann Winston.” Audrey laughed, “Regarding his impression of you, Winston’s answer was simple.”
“What is it? Please stop keeping me in suspense.”
“He said, ‘There’s only one Evan Hunter in this world,'” Audrey said with a laugh.
“There’s probably a follow-up that’s not so pleasant.” Hunter twisted his mouth.
“Haha! ‘I have to keep a close eye on him, otherwise, the simple-minded Evan Hunter will definitely be fooled.’”
Hunter covered his eyes with his hand, sighing helplessly, “I knew it would be like this.”
“Alright, that concludes today’s interview.”
“Can I see the photos of myself?” Hunter looked at the photographer.
Audrey tapped Hunter’s forehead with her finger, “It’s better to save your expectations until the end. Don’t worry, we’ll choose the best shots for you.”
“Okay then.”
Hunter reached for his water glass and took a sip. Audrey, who had stood up and walked next to him, suddenly swayed and fell to one side. Hunter quickly caught her in his arms.
“Miss Wilson, are you okay?”
“Thank you, you reacted so quickly,” Audrey straightened up and thanked Hunter.
“It’s nothing.”
“But… People think you’re still young but you also have a mature and manly side.”
“I like being praised like that,” Hunter smiled.
“Good luck in this race.”
“Thank you.”
As long as he finished in the top five, Vann Winston would perform a striptease for him! Hahaha!
The more Hunter thought about it, the more determined he felt.
After finishing the interview, Hunter entered the elevator and texted Winston: You’re too much! Dare to say I’m easily fooled!
Winston’s reply came quickly: The interview is over? Want to join me for dinner?
Hunter rubbed his nose and told the nutritionist that he wouldn’t eat with the team today.
“Not eating with the team? The practice match is about to start. Don’t eat random stuff!”
“Winston invited me to dinner. I guess he won’t make me eat something that gives me diarrhea, right?”
“Winston? What’s going on? Well, go ahead and chat more! Also, check out Ferrari’s nutritional meal plan!” The nutritionist’s attitude did a complete 180.
Hunter chuckled in agreement.
Winston had reserved a table at the restaurant in the hotel where he was staying. During the Grand Prix, the restaurant was crowded, and naturally, those who stayed at this hotel were upper class.
Hunter arrived at the restaurant close to 8 PM. Winston was sitting in a corner by the window, chin resting on his hand as he looked outside. Guided by the server, Hunter walked towards him. Winston’s profile reminded Hunter of moonlight. Although these were two completely unrelated things. Perhaps it was because, at this moment, he looked noble yet gentle, making Hunter feel it was surreal.
“Hey!” Hunter flashed his brightest smile.
Winston lifted his chin, “Sit down. I’ve ordered the appetizers and main course for you. You need to ensure high-calorie intake before competing, avoid raw and cold foods, any potential allergens, and no carbonated drinks.”
Hunter shook his head, “So many joys in life are gone.”
“Really?” Winston raised his arm to check the time, nodding in a manner that seemed aristocratic. “Your interview with Audrey must have lasted at least two hours.”
“Haha, yes. She has a lot of interesting insights about F1. Talking to her, I feel like I’ve learned a lot. How about you? She admires you a lot, so she must have talked to you for a long time, right?” Hunter deliberately gave him an ambiguous glance.
“Half an hour.”
“Huh?”
“I gave her half an hour of interview time.”
“So short?” Hunter’s eyes widened.
Truly a top-class racer! He didn’t take even a well-known journalist seriously!
“If not, how would there be enough time for you and your goddess to chat?” Winston’s smile was shallow, but Hunter found himself liking it.
“Hehe. Finally, I’ve fulfilled one of my two biggest dreams in life.”
“Two big dreams? One is being interviewed by a celebrity like Audrey Wilson. What’s the other?”
“Guess.”
“You’ve got such a one-track mind.” Winston chuckled.
“A bunny girl party!”
“Dream on.” Winston lowered his head and took a sip of water.
“What?” Hunter didn’t seem to hear clearly.
“Haven’t you collected Playboy magazines since you were a kid?”
“Oh… How did you know? Did I tell you?” Hunter scratched his head, trying to remember.
“They’re still under your mattress.”
“When did I tell you?”
“What would you do at the bunny girl party? Use all different kinds of condoms?”
For some reason, Hunter felt Winston’s tone was cold.
“No… I… I want to be with someone I like…” Hunter’s voice trailed off.
“Like Audrey Wilson?”
“…” Hunter opened his mouth.
Before, he could easily say that his ideal lover was a woman like Audrey Wilson, but looking into Winston’s eyes, he realized he couldn’t say it anymore.
“Why’s that?” Winston asked.
“I’m not sure what kind of person I would fall for. Sometimes… the person you end up loving might not be the one you always expected. Like my mother, she always dreamed of marrying a man like my father. Someone with a career and drive, who also knows how to enjoy life. But in the end, she chose a very ordinary teacher.”
Just then, the server brought the appetizers. It was creamy asparagus soup. In a desert-surrounded country, a dish like this was exceedingly rare and expensive.
“Eat up.”
“Winston…”
“What’s wrong?”
“If… I mean, if… one day you get married, would we still travel together?”
He should have been thinking about traveling with his wife and children if he had a partner one day. But for some reason, he suddenly became scared.
Afraid that Winston would no longer plan everything for him, afraid that in the future, the two of them wouldn’t have time to have a meal together even if there was nothing important going on now, afraid that they would go in different directions.
Winston looked straight at Hunter, his gaze unwaveringly firm, so much so that Hunter felt inexplicably guilty.
“If I ever get married one day, who else would I travel with besides you?”
Hunter smiled.
“Can I take your comment to Audrey Wilson, ‘There’s only one Evan Hunter in the world,’ as meaning this?”
“That’s exactly what I meant.”
Winston handed a dish of coddled eggs1Coddled eggs are cooked in a small dish placed in hot water:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/coddled-egg-2500-56a20fdd3df78cf77271880b.jpg)
to Hunter. Hunter looked at the eggs and suddenly felt a warm feeling inside. Even the nutritionist didn’t know he liked coddled eggs, but Winston did.
“There is only one Vann Winston in this world.” Hunter carefully scooped up an egg with a spoon and put it into his mouth.
Winston’s hands holding the knife and fork seemed to pause.
Outside the window, the famous Yas Marina circuit lay quiet, like a graceful sleeping beauty, admired and yearned for by everyone. Hunter gazed out the window, but his thoughts were on Winston sitting across from him. Even without speaking, he felt remarkably at ease.
It was almost 9:30 PM, and Hunter had to return to his team. Winston gestured for the bill.
“Let me pay this time.”
As Hunter was about to raise his hand, Winston grabbed it.
“I want you to give me something else.”
“What?” Hunter was slightly surprised.
What did Winston not have that he needed Hunter to give him?
“If you make it into the top 5 in this race, the commission from the Marcus team should be enough for you to buy back your house,” Winston said.
“Mm.” Hunter was silently thrilled; there was also the striptease!
“I want you to give me a spot in your garage.”
As soon as Winston finished speaking, Hunter’s eyes welled up with warmth. This had been his plan all along.
This was what he wanted to give Winston. Although it might not be as valuable as one of Winston’s sports cars, it was something Winston cared about. Hunter didn’t know how to describe this feeling of being cherished.
“Of course.” Hunter couldn’t keep the tremble out of his voice.
“And that Jeep of yours, you already agreed to replace it.”
“Haha, after buying back the house, if there’s still plenty of money left over, I’ll definitely buy a really good car.”
“Mm,” Winston responded softly, a sound that fell into Hunter’s heart, making him feel tingly.
When the bill came, Hunter still pulled out his card, smiling at Winston. “Remember? You once paid for me at the supermarket. Now let me pay you back!”
Winston smiled calmly. “I don’t remember paying for you, but I remember once I was at the supermarket and saw you moving the cookies on the shelf like you’d been peeking at me for a long time.”
Hunter’s nerves suddenly jolted.
So Winston knew he’d been standing in front of the shelves observing him?
“If you weren’t looking at me, how would you know I was staring at you for so long?” Hunter raised his chin.
“I did indeed watch you for a long time. From the moment you chose yogurt to when you chose underwear.”
“Wh… why were you staring at me?” Hunter’s heart tightened again. The feeling that… his acquaintance with Winston seemed prearranged unconsciously made Hunter feel nervous.
“Because you looked silly. When you bought yogurt, you only looked at the flavor, not the expiration date.” Winston wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Anyway, it’s late. Let me take you back to your hotel.”
Hunter stood up. “No need to take me back! I’m not Audrey Wilson… Oh, wait, did I tell you I hugged her during the interview today?”
“Why?”
“When she passed by me, she almost tripped, and I caught her. Nothing special, but I felt my reaction was pretty quick.” Hunter had a somewhat self-satisfied expression.
Just as Hunter was passing by Winston, who was adjusting his sleeve cuff, he suddenly stumbled. His relaxed mood left him completely unprepared, causing him to lunge forward. He tried to grab the edge of the table reflexively, but someone’s arms wrapped around his waist. The familiar strength of the embrace sent Hunter’s nerves on high alert. He leaned into the embrace as the arms wrapped around him.
Hunter was shocked to realize that he was sitting on Winston’s lap!
Quite a few people around had noticed.
“Was this like this?” Winston’s voice echoed from behind, causing Hunter to involuntarily tense his shoulders. The other man’s heat and scent were like an invisible yet overwhelming invasion.
“No… no…” Hunter tried to explain, but his throat seemed to be locked.
“What are you trying to say?” Winston leaned in closer, his cheek almost against Hunter’s back.
“Not like this! She was wearing high heels, so she couldn’t stand steady, and I just helped her! I’m a gentleman! If I had treated Miss Wilson like this, the cameraman next to us would have used his camera to kill me!” Hunter pushed Winston’s hand away and jumped up.
“Oh, there was also a cameraman, huh? You must be disappointed.” Winston remained seated, slightly tilting his head to observe Hunter.
“I… I don’t have that kind of intention towards Miss Wilson.”
“Hunter, your ears are all red now. Do you really have no such thoughts about Audrey Wilson?” Winston’s voice was still soft.
There were times when Hunter didn’t understand why this guy used that tone when talking to him and why he never spoke like that to anyone else.
“I swear! Clearly, you’re the one making me feel embarrassed!” As soon as he finished speaking, Hunter felt regretful.
“Oh, didn’t I just try to imitate how you hugged Miss Wilson?”
“I didn’t say I let her sit on my lap!”
And there are so many people in the restaurant!
Your legs are long and you tripped me on purpose!
Winston’s smile curve became clearer.
“Believe it or not, I’ll crush you in this race!” Hunter angrily extended his middle finger.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Winston finally stood up slowly.
After paying, Winston intended to send Hunter back to the hotel.
“Hey… you don’t have to do that. I can go by myself. No matter what, we can’t keep shuttling back and forth all night, with you taking me back and then me sending you back again?”
“Your ears are still red.” Winston tilted his face and smiled softly.
“That’s enough!” Hunter raised his hand to cover his ears.
Winston said nothing more, only pressing the elevator button.
The two walked towards Hunter’s hotel. Unlike Hunter, who had both hands in the pockets of his jeans, Winston was composed and dignified with every step.
Hunter wondered how he had gotten so close to Winston.
Perhaps it began in the bathroom at this year’s Spanish Grand Prix… then when Winston paid for him at the supermarket, bought him a cap at the Ferrari event at a high price, and even when his Jeep broke down on the way home, Winston accompanied him to wait for the insurance company. Not to mention letting Hunter drive his Ferrari until the engine blew up…
They hadn’t been close, but in hindsight, perhaps… it was always Winston making the first move.
Why though?
Hunter watched Winston’s tall, sturdy figure walking ahead of him. That figure suddenly stopped and turned to look at Hunter.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Hunter quickened his pace, passing Winston, then turned back to wink at him. “I was just thinking about your striptease.”
“Really?” Winston smiled, continuing to walk alongside Hunter.
“I’m definitely making it into the top 5 in this race. And you… don’t let Ciel or Owen push you out, okay?” Hunter smirked mischievously.
“You’re quite confident.”
Hunter gazed at Winston under the moonlight, thinking to himself: Isn’t it you who made me so confident?
Back in the hotel room, Hunter unconsciously opened the window and watched in the direction Winston left. In his mind, he recalled the feeling of sitting on Winston’s lap and being hugged.
A feeling of security… even of being possessed by him.
Hunter rubbed his head forcefully, suddenly feeling the urge to get extremely drunk in front of Winston, and then use the excuse of his poor alcohol tolerance to do whatever he pleased.
That thought startled Hunter.
Unable to adjust to the time difference, he had crawled into bed early, but half an hour had passed, and he still wasn’t sleepy. He regretted why he didn’t remember kissing Winston after drinking, and his mind wandered with inappropriate thoughts.
The phone on the bedside table lit up, and Hunter grabbed it to check. It turned out to be a message from Winston: Did you see the moon?
Hunter sat up and drew the curtain. The silvery moonlight spread across the sky as if enveloping the entire globe.
He replied to Winston: Yes, it’s big and bright!
Winston: Good night, Hunter.
It was as if someone whispered in his ear, the cold yet gentle tone of Winston.
Was he also sitting by the bed with a book on his lap, holding his phone right now?
Good night, Winston.
After a few days of adjustment, the practice match began. Due to less greenery here, the weather was hotter than at Suzuka Circuit, making tire wear a significant concern.
At first, Hunter worried whether the performance of the race car could keep up. However, just before heading onto the track, he saw Shen Chuan calmly directing the final adjustments while Shen Xi nibbled on a chocolate bar and winked “bye-bye” at him with a smile. This composure reassured Hunter.
This was his first F1 race on a desert track, yet his driving was smooth and free. The data at the end of the practice session made Shen Chuan’s previously furrowed brows relax.
As Hunter drove back, Shen Chuan leaned against the car, tapping Hunter’s helmet, “Feeling calm?”
“Don’t worry! Extremely calm!” Hunter grinned brightly. “I checked the engine temperature myself, and you guys have handled the cooling problem exceptionally well!”
“We’ve maximized the adjustment of the cooling components, including the brake cooling ducts. Hunter, the wind direction at Yas Marina is unpredictable, and engine warm-up is tougher compared to regular tracks. This time, you not only have to showcase yourself but also the effort of all the mechanics and the entire team.” Shen Chuan’s eyes held a powerful determination.
Even Shen Xi, no longer munching on chocolate, stared straight at Hunter.
That determination, whether from the drivers on the track or the mechanics off-track, was the same.
“I will,” Hunter met Shen Chuan’s gaze squarely.
The author has something to say:
Winston: If one day I get married, who else can I travel with besides you?
Hunter: Happy~
Winston: Because the one I marry will definitely be you.
Hunter: …
![The Rebirth of the Last Days and Return to [Fang] Hao](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/image_2021-09-11_143139.png "The Rebirth of the Last Days and Return to [Fang] Hao")
